The Hydrogen Liberty Act was introduced by Democrat Albert R Wynn from Maryland and Republican John Shimkus from Illinois, on the premise it would hasten the creation of a hydrogen economy by building federally supported infrastructure.

“With the price of gas over two dollars a gallon, coupled with diminishing domestic oil production, there is a strong need for the US to wean off of its traditional, carbon-fuelled economy,” said Wynn.

“Helping develop a hydrogen economy, fuelled by renewable energy sources, will reduce oil consumption and increase energy security.”

Wynn and Shimkus believe the current reliance on natural gas to produce hydrogen is unsustainable and for the US to create a strong hydrogen economy it must first develop a robust renewable energy support structure.

The act would authorise the Department of Energy to manage demonstration and research projects between private and public sectors to develop hydrogen production from clean energy sources.

A third of the proposal’s budget is earmarked for developing hydrogen production from solar energy, with the Solar Energy Industries Association saying it would strive to ensure none of this funding was stripped from existing solar projects.

If successful, the act plans to create 15 demonstration projects across the US, five each from wind, solar and nuclear energy sources.

“This legislation continues our efforts to make our nation less dependent on foreign oil,” said Shimkus.

“When we can use our nation’s own resources to create clean, dependable energy like hydrogen, our nation’s power prices will become less susceptible to price swings brought on by foreign governments.”